After pioneering the Pilots to a perfect 59-0 campaign this past season, Head Coach Brad Neffendorf was slated as the 2025 Rawlings-NAIA Baseball Coach of the Year. The honor capped off a historic season and added to a collection of accolades recognizing his leadership during LSU Shreveport’s record-breaking run. 

2025 Individual Honors

ABCA/ATEC National Coach of the Year

College Baseball Foundation Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year

All State Sugar Bowl's Collegiate Coach of the Year

Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball National Coach of the Year

ABCA/ATEC Regional Coach of the Year

NAIA Ball National Coach of the Year

RRAC Coach of the Year

“I’m extremely honored to receive this continued recognition," said Neffendorf. "It reflects the level of investment that our players, coaching staff, and support system put together throughout this year, which directly impacted the success we had. My level of appreciation for everyone involved with what we’ve accomplished can’t even be explained. This is a program award. The players, the support staff, and our coaching staff deserve equal or above recognition for this. I am extremely grateful to everyone!” 

Under Neffendorf’s guidance, the Pilots boasted a 47-0 mark to finish the regular season, including a perfect 30-0 record in Red River Athletic Conference play. Their unblemished 59-0 season established a new record for the longest winning streak in college baseball history across all divisions. In NAIA history specifically, the previous record for consecutive wins in a single season was set by Point Park (Pa.), with 41 straight victories during its 49-5 run in 1990.

The Pilots delivered a statistical masterclass throughout the 2025 season. Defensively, they limited opponents to a .192 batting average and notched a .982 fielding percentage, both national records. On the offensive side, LSUS compiled a .493 on-base percentage (second in the nation) and a .601 slugging percentage (fifth in the nation); both program records. The team broke additional school records with 665 runs scored, 614 RBIs and 388 walks.

LSU Shreveport entered the preseason rankings at No. 4 and claimed the No. 1 spot by the first regular-season poll, holding it for the remainder of the season. Throughout the NAIA National Tournament, from the opening rounds to the final site matches, the Pilots won every contest by at least three runs, including back-to-back double-digit victories in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.

“What Coach Neffendorf and our team accomplished this season is nothing short of historic,” said LSU Shreveport Athletic Director Lucas Morgan. “Going 59-0 and leading our program to a national championship is a feat that may never be matched, and it’s only fitting that he’s recognized as the National Coach of the Year Award. His relentless commitment to excellence, leadership, and the belief he instills in his players have elevated LSUS Baseball to legendary status. I am so proud to have him leading our program.”

Neffendorf has compiled a 270-49 overall record during his six-year tenure as Head Coach of LSUS Baseball. He has guided the Pilots to four RRAC Regular-Season Championships, two RRAC Tournament Championships, three NAIA World Series appearances and one NAIA Red Banner for a national championship.

The NAIA National Coach of the Year is voted on by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association (BCA) Executive Committee and NAIA-BCA Past Presidents. To be eligible, a head coach must be selected as their conference or unaffiliated group coach of the year or lead their team to the Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series.